Books I've Read

homely catafalque (pg. 56) -- A decorated platform or framework on which a coffin rests in state during a funeral.
Lethean stream (pg. 62) -- A river in Hades whose waters cause drinkers to forget their past.
propitiatory smile (pg. 70) --Having the power to gain or regain the favor or goodwill.
levanting together (pg. 78) -- To leave hurriedly or in secret to avoid unpaid debts.
tessellated pine boughs (pg. 100) -- Having a checkered or mottled appearance. Word traced back to 1695.
gamboge streak (pg. 177) -- A gum resin used as a yellow pigment and a purgative.
caprid origin (pg. 231) -- Pertaining to the Goat family.
auriferous earth (pg. 234) -- Containing gold.
jimp waist (pg. 316) -- Neat; trim; delicate; slender, etc.
illimitable prospect (pg. 330) -- Without limits in extent or size or quantity.
Pactolian resouces (pg. 335) -- Pertaining to the Pactolus, a river in ancient Lydia famous for its golden sands.
philippic (pg. 341) -- tirade: a speech of violent denunciation I always thought this was in the lyrics of "Monkey Man", by the detested Rolling Stones, but I guess I am wrong. Again.
saleratus in that bread (pg. 347) -- Baking soda. mysteries of the semicuacua, a somewhat corybantic dance (pg. 350) -- Frenetic, ecstatic and orgiastic.
the Encinal (pg. 351) -- Translates as Live Oak grove. What Harte called Oakland.
a quinsy to the death (pg. 379) -- Pus-filled inflamation of the throat.
Lares and penates (pg. 390) -- The household gods of the ancient Romans.
chirographical (pg. 392) == Handwriting, penmanship.
preternaturally (pg. 408) -- Exceeding what is natural or regular.
opprobrious (pg. 411) -- Expressing contemptuous reproach; scornful or abusive.
infelix (pg. 411) -- Unhappy.
Borrioboola-Gha (pg. 417) -- From Dickens' Bleak House.
petriaction (pg. 449) -- The process of turning some plant material into stone.
febrile (pg. 454) -- Of or relating to or characterized by fever.
fidus Achaetes (pg. 465) -- Faithful Achates : trusty friend.
billet-duxis (pg. 505) -- Billet doux, a love letter.

Maybe Mrs. Reddick was a Girl Scout before Dewey hid her away in the stacks and his decimals took over her life. -- pg. 44

Amanda Murphy had no illusions about the quality of her cooking...Her apple pie, for instance. The bottom crust was half an inch think, charred on the bottom and slimy on top, covered with a loose layer of oversweet apples....
"Great pie, Mandy."...
Anyway, it was nutritious. A pie that weighted that much had to have some good in it. Amanda cut herself a small slice, helped it along with a glass of bourbon-spiked Pepsi. (pg. 191)

apothegms (pg. 309) -- A short cryptic remark containing some general or generally accepted truth; maxim.
Manichaean (pg. 311) -- Of or relating to Manichaeism; dualistic.
American Nimiety (pg. 312) -- Superfluity; excess.
eremite (pg. 317) -- A recluse or hermit especially a religious recluse.
loco-foco (pg. 334) -- A kind of friction-match, among other things.
sneezer (pg. 334) -- Possibly, a martinet, in the usage cited.
faubourgs (pg. 345) -- Essentially, suburbs.
pentimento (pg. 351) -- !n alteration in a painting, evidenced by traces of previous work, showing that the artist has changed his mind as to the composition during the process of painting.
whilom (pg. 386) -- Having once been; former.
revenant (pg. 424) -- Something, esp a ghost, that returns.
retrorse (pg. 451) -- Directed or turned backward or downward.
tortfeasor (pg. 462) -- A party who has committed a tort
tilbury (pg. 488) -- A light, two-wheeled, open carriage with two seats, used in the 19th century.
redolent (pg. 547) -- Having or emitting fragrance; aromatic.
concomitant (pg. 537) -- One that occurs or exists concurrently with another.